Paving-block.



0. A. HECKEL.

PAVING BLOCK.

PPLIGATION FILED MA 28 Patented Oct. 7, 1913] OTTO A. HEGKEL, OF ST.LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PAVING-BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented oct. 7,1913.

Application filedMarch 28, 1912. Serial No. 686,946.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OTTO A. Hnonnn, a citizenof the United States, and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Paving- Blocks of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in paving blocks and has for itsobject a fibrous resilient body embedded in a reinforced nonresilientbody.

A further object is to provide a fibrous resilient body with a net workof reinforcing material and around the body is applied such material asconcrete or the like providing a rigid connection making an absorbentproof paving block as well as providing a uniform structure and durableroadway.

Figure 1 is a'perspective view of my improved paving block. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the resilient body showing the manner of applyingthe reinforcing material. Fig. 3 is across-sectional view of two of theblocks as placed together for roadway purposes.

in carrying out my invention I provide a suitable block 4 of fibrousresilient material preferably a creosote treated wooden block. On thebottom, sides and ends of the block are driven nails 5 or other suitabledevices and to these nails are attached wires 6; the space between thewire and the body portion of the block is sufficient to permit theconcrete material to freely flow and when the concrete materialis firmlyset it forms a housing or covering 7 consisting of a bottom 8, sidewalls i) and end walls 10, the wires and nails reinforcing the materialand actin g as a perfect binder. The molds in which the blocks areplaced are provided with suitable projections so that the completedconcrete covering for the block is provided with elongated depressionsor grooves 11; by means of these grooves each block is firmly bound inthe other when laid in proper position on the roadway, and a filler ofliquid concrete or cement is filled in between the adjoining blocks,this filler being illustrated in 3 and indicated by the numeral 12.

Tn constructing the block I first piace on the resilient body thenetting of reinforced material as shown in Fig. 2; this bloclcis setinto a mold and the concrete poured into the mold and after the same hasbecome suinmcntly hard the block s removed wh ch then has the appearanceas that shown in .Flg. l; a street constructed with blocks of thischaracter is durable and yet has a resilient surface which will providea perfect tread surface for the hoofs of the horses and by means of thefill-er between the adjacent blocks being of concrete or like materialit will allow the horses to obtain what is commonly termed a toe-holdand-prevent slippage. Another featurelofithis block is that after theentire street has been laid and the cement filler placed thereover itforms one homogenous mass which will prevent moisture from seeping downbeneath the blocks or foundation and cause the blocks to swell andbulge.

It has been found by practical experience that wherever wooden blockshave been used for roadways and the same placed side by side themoisture which seeps between the adjoining edges has a tendency to swellthe blocks and create great expansion and by such expansion theroadbedbulges out of proper. alinement. By providing each block with acover of concrete the little expansion, if any, caused by the moistureseeping into each block will have no efi'ect whatever on the adjoiningblock and by means of the reinforcing covering the concrete housingremains rigid and undisturbed. Y

The device is simple in construction and has merit and utility whichnone of the present blocks used in street construction possess.

In constructing a roadway, pavement or floor embodying my improved blockI may if desired place the reinforced blocks in position on a suitablefoundation and after the entire floor is laid which constitutes theblocks as shown in Fig. 2, the concrete is poured over the blockspermitting it to flow between the blocks and lodge at the bottom andwhen the concrete thoroughly sets the entire roadway, pavement or floorwill constitute one homogenous mass, and the materiai between each blockand beneath being reinforced by means of the reinforcing netting willprovide a certain binder throughout the entire structure.

By constructing a pavement with my no proved block the periodicalfilling of the spaces between the blocks by pitch as is now the presentmanner where more wood blocks are used is entirely dispensed .vith. thead joining edges by my construction prevents moisture from passingbeneath the blocks or in between thus the necessity of filling the samewith pitch, tar, and sand, or other substances is obviated.

It has been found by practical experience that streets constructed ofthe present wood block type and by being periodically soaked with pitchmaterial, the surface becomes saturated with the pitch especially duringthe hot season making the blocks slippery as Well as objectionable underfoot.

Having fully described my invention What I claini is:

1. A paving block comprising a creosote treated wooden block, a nettingof reinforcing material attached to the bottom, sides and ends of saidblock, and a concrete covering placed over the reinforced portions ofthe block.

2. A paving block comprising a resilient block, a netting, ofreinforcing material attached to the bottom sides and ends of the block,a'concrete covering applied over the tached to said block, by which theconcrete is rigidly and firmly held to said block, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

OTTO A. HECKEL.

Witnesses:

ALFRED A. EIoKs, WALTER G. STEIN.

